Meghalaya Cabinet Approves Amendment to Migrant Workers Safety Rules
SHILLONG, Aug 2: In a significant move, the Meghalaya Cabinet has approved amendments to the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Rules, 2020, aimed at enhancing the verification process for migrant workers. The state government will implement the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) to scrutinize the backgrounds of migrant workers, ensuring that individuals with criminal records are excluded from the workforce in Meghalaya.
Cabinet Minister and government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh highlighted the importance of this amendment, emphasizing that checking the antecedents of migrant workers is a critical component. "The CCTNS provides a comprehensive database of crimes and criminals, enabling us to authenticate the backgrounds of migrant workers effectively," Lyngdoh stated.
Local police, aided by this system, will corroborate the details, while the Labour Department will coordinate to ensure accurate verification of those registered as migrant workers. Under the original 2020 Act, violators faced a penalty of Rs 5,000. However, the proposed amendment significantly raises this penalty to Rs 1 lakh per offender. Additionally, repeat offenders could face simple imprisonment for up to three months.
The amendment to the rules has been approved by the Cabinet, but the changes to the Act, including the enhanced penalties, will be presented in the State Assembly for final approval during the upcoming session.
Lyngdoh expressed confidence that the Cabinet’s decision would alleviate local concerns about illegal immigration. "The primary groups entering Meghalaya are tourists and labourers, with the latter often staying longer. This amendment aims to tighten legal regulations," he added.
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/08/03/mlaya-tightens-rules-for-migrant-workers/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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